Tim GideonNoontec ZoroThe Noontec Zoro shamelessly mimics the look of the pricey Beats by Dr. Dre, and though these headphones suffer from some minor distortion, they offer quality audio performance for a much lower price.

The Noontec Zoro shamelessly mimics the look of the pricey Beats by Dr. Dre, and though these headphones suffer from some minor distortion, they offer quality audio performance for a much lower price.

The wild popularity of Monster Beats by Dr. Drespurred a mini-revolution in the headphone world. Suddenly, celebrity-endorsed products have become commonplace, along with powerful options with strong bass intended for modern mixes with deep low end. It's interesting, then, to see a pair like the $99.99 (list) Noontec Zoro, which clearly takes its design cues from the Beats line, but seemingly takes nothing else. It's not a bass-heavy headphone pair, there’s no celeb involved, and it isn’t overpriced. Instead, the Zoro is a simple on-ear pair that focuses more on the mids and highs than the low end. The Zoro isn't flawless—there can be distortion at top volumes, and it's not terribly comfortable—but it represents a solid, affordable alternative to the headphone line it seeks to mimic.

Similar Products

Design The thick, glossy black plastic headband (also available in white or red) and shiny metallic and red Noontec logo on the earpieces are clearly styled very, very closely after the Beats by Dr. Dre lineup. If I were Dre, I might even call my lawyer just to discuss my options. Faux leather supra-aural (on-ear) earpads round out the look, but it wouldn't be complete without the flat, linguini-shaped bright red cable that is synonymous with Beats.

The cable, however, is replaceable, which is a nice touch that adds to the value of the headphones, since cables are typically the first thing to go. You can simply replace the cable, rather than buy a new pair or pay for repairs, assuming everything else is in working order.

That said, the Zoro doesn't ship with a replacement cable—only a felt drawstring bag that the headphones fold down into. Furthermore, the cable that's provided lacks phone controls, so you can't take calls or control volume and playback with the Zoro.

The fit is not very secure. The on-ear pads don't create a very good seal, so noise leaks in and out. On top of this, they are not all that comfortable. At $100, it's hard to be too picky, but the design of these headphones is not their selling point, regardless of what Noontec was hoping to accomplish by mimicking the Beats look.

Performance On deep bass tracks, like the Knife's "Silent Shout," the Noontec Zoro suffers some minor distortion at maximum volume—but it isn't over-the-top, and you also shouldn't be listening at levels that high if you want to preserve your hearing. At more moderate-to-loud volume levels, the distortion disappears. The deep bass of the electronic kick drum resonates powerfully, but not as intensely as on a bass-heavy model like the Beats by Dr. Dre. Instead the Zoro does a nice job highlighting the mid- and high-frequency response—you don’t lose the crisp high attack that often gets lost on a typical pair of budget headphones.

On classical tracks, like John Adams' "The Chairman Dances," high-register strings, brass, and percussion take center stage. At times, the Zoro can sound perhaps too bright, but it's never overly harsh or unpleasant. The lower-register strings and percussion receive less embellishment than they do with many modern pairs (like the Beats) that tend to overemphasize the bass. Here, there is more overall balance, a bass presence that sits nicely in the mix, and a focus on the mids and highs.

This focus brings a nice clarity to vocal performances. On Bill Callahan's "Drover," the vocals are delivered with an extra bit of treble edge that only adds to Callahan’s unique baritone delivery. The vocals also standout nicely on Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild"—the mix still features plenty of low-end resonance, but the emphasis on mids and highs helps the vocals shine, rather than get lost by the intense production, which can happen pretty easily with hip hop and electronic tracks on lesser headphones.

One caveat: The Zoro does not hold up well to repeated high volume usage on deep bass tracks that cause distortion. As with many pairs in the $100-range, this eventually seems to lead to some permanent driver damage. It doesn't mean the headphones will be unusable, but they might suffer from a bit of rattling or fuzziness on certain frequencies, regardless of the volume—at the end of our testing, a third deep bass, high volume test ended up doing some damage to the right ear's drivers.

If you don't abuse your headphones, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, it's worth noting since the headphone line after which these are styled—the Beats by Dr. Dre—doesn't suffer from this issue. Simply put, the comparisons of the Beats line with the Zoro are only skin deep—they don't sound similar and they aren't built for the same type of usage.

ConclusionsDespite the minor distortion at top volumes and the delicate nature of the drivers, the Noontec Zoro is a pretty solid audio performer at normal listening levels. The detachable cable adds a bit of value to the purchase, even if doesn’t feature an inline remote.

If inline controls for calls is a priority, consider checking out the RHA SA950i, which is even more affordable, and also has a more substantial bass response in comparison. The Polk Audio UltraFit 2000 is another budget on-ear option—more affordable than the Zoro with phone controls built into the earpieces, and as a bonus, it's intended to withstand sweaty workouts. If you have a bit more room in your budget and still want an emphasis on clarity in the mids, and bass that isn't wildly boosted, the Bowers & Wilkins P3 is a comfortable on-ear option with solid audio performance.

Noontec Zoro

Bottom Line: The Noontec Zoro shamelessly mimics the look of the pricey Beats by Dr. Dre, and though these headphones suffer from some minor distortion, they offer quality audio performance for a much lower price.

Noontec Zoro

Noontec Zoro

Get Our Best Stories!

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.